The Yankees convinced CC Sabathia to embrace New York by offering millions more than any other team dared. But for A.J. Burnett, New York was the attraction.

The Yankees added another power arm to their rotation Friday when Burnett agreed to a five-year deal worth $82.5 million. The contract was only slightly more than what the Atlanta Braves offered. But Burnett, who resides in Maryland, wanted to play closer to home.

Karen Burnett, the pitcher's wife, dislikes flying so much that her husband's contract with the Toronto Blue Jays included eight round-trip limousine rides a season. Distance in this case helped the Yankees.

"It just became very apparent that we couldn't move Atlanta closer to Maryland," Braves general manager Frank Wren told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "What it really came down to was geography. ... I think if we had been a little closer to their home, things might have been a little different."

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman did not return a telephone call seeking comment. But Burnett's agent, Darek Braunecker, confirmed the deal, according to The Associated Press. It will become official when Burnett passes a physical.

In addition to the transportation clause, Burnett's contract with Toronto allowed him to opt out and become a free agent. Perhaps that served as motivation, as Burnett went 18-10 with a 4.07 ERA. He appeared in 35 games and threw 221⅓ innings, the most of his career.

Burnett, who turns 32 in January, impressed the Yankees in person last season, going 3-1 with a 1.64 ERA against them in five starts. He also has pitched well against the Boston Red Sox in his career, going 5-0 with a 2.56 ERA.

"He had a great season for us," Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi said during the recently completed Winter Meetings in Las Vegas. "Whoever gets him is getting him at his best."

But Burnett comes with risk attached. The right-hander has been on the disabled list nine times since the 2000 season and thrown more than 200 innings only three times in the last eight years. But in their desperation for pitching, the Yankees were willing to overlook that history.

In Burnett and Sabathia, who agreed to terms on Tuesday, the Yankees have invested $243.5 million in improving their pitching staff.

Now one slot remains, and it is reserved for left-hander Andy Pettitte, whom Cashman met with on Thursday in Texas. The Yankees are hoping that Pettitte will accept a $10 million offer to return to the team. If not, they could try to sign free agent Ben Sheets or fill the spot from within.

The expensive renovation of their rotation likely means the Yankees will not seek free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira or outfielder Manny Ramirez.

Sabathia had 251 strikeouts last season, second only to San Francisco's Tim Lincecum, who had 265. Burnett was third with 231. For the defensively deficient Yankees, adding two of the game's best strikeout pitchers should provide an immediate benefit, along with more innings as a starter from Joba Chamberlain.

Another upgrade would be obtaining Milwaukee's Mike Cameron to play center field. The Yankees are close to a deal that would send Melky Cabrera and a pitching prospect to the Brewers for Cameron. Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin said Friday that the teams could complete the trade early next week.

"The Yankees seem to have some other things to take care of," he said, referencing the signing of Burnett and possible signing of Pettitte.

Notes: Former Yankees outfielder Bernie Williams will resume his playing career with the Carolina Giants of the Puerto Rican winter league in about a week. Now 40, Williams has not played since the 2006 season. He hopes to play for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic in March. ... The Yankees will not tender contracts to right-hander Chris Britton and outfielder Justin Christian, making them free agents.

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